For the Love of Scrubs, our NHS needs you
Posted on 9 Apr 2020

Dear Volunteers

We wonder whether you can help us. During the Coronavirus outbreak GPs are wearing scrubs when seeing patients. Normally they would not wear Scrubs, so this is not something that they have within their practices. Many of the 52 GP practices in Croydon are in need of scrubs.

There is an amazing national movement called – For the Love of Scrubs, our NHS needs you. Information below. We are very fortunate to have a Croydon organiser – Anna Edwards-McConway. She would normally be working in the West End, but whilst everything has shut down she has offered her services to coordinate the Croydon GP part of this Scrubs programme.

What are we looking for?

Can you sew? If so would you be willing to sew some sets of scrubs?

Do you have any fabric? We are looking for Poly Cotton fabric of a reasonable density, that can be washed at 60’C. Rolls of fabric would be most welcome, it takes about 4m to make one set of scrubs. But if you’ve had a spring clean and have some spare fabric or even a good quality double duvet cover that could be used.

Do you have a large supply of strong polyester thread? We need it for sewing the scrubs.

Do you have access to an A1 printer or larger? We have a free, printable pattern and would welcome some copies.

Do you have a location that could be used? We are looking for a venue for people to collect the fabric and to drop off the completed scrubs. Ideally we would want somewhere North, South and Central Croydon.

Do you have access to a machine that cuts quantities of fabric? Some areas have someone that has been able to cut the fabric pieces, and this has saved a lot of time.

Background about For the Love of Scrubs

Was formed by Ashleigh Linsdell after identifying a shortage in scrubs for frontline NHS staff during the 2020 Covid19 Pandemic. The Facebook group is a platform to enable those who are able to, and would like to contribute towards supplying frontline NHS workers local to themselves.

"Lincolnshire A&E nurse Ashleigh Linsdell started the 'For the Love of Scrubs' campaign last week after noticing a "dire need" for the medical uniforms during the coronavirus outbreak. Almost 20,000 volunteers have responded to the call and are producing the outfits at home or in small workshops."